Protective target device

ABSTRACT

An energy absorbing device for use with a person&#39;&#39;s hand to protect the hand during training and contests in various sports such as karate, boxing, etc. The device is constructed of resilient foam means covered with a tough, pliable surface coating. The device generally comprises a pair of spaced, parellel, resilient members suitably secured together with a space therebetween. The device is adapted to permit insertion of the hand into the space between the two resilient members.

United States Patent [191 Rhee I [451 July 29,1975

[ PROTECTIVE TARGET DEVICE [76] lnventor: Jhoon Goo Rhee, 2525 N.

Ridgeview Rd., Arlington, Va. 22207 [22] Filed: Oct. 25, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 518,047

[52] US. Cl. 2/20 [51] Int. Cl. A41B 13/00 [581' Field of Search 2/20, l8, 16, 161 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,306,062 12/1942 Katz 2/20 2,952,02l 9/1960 Finn 2/20 3,037,209 6/ 1962 Applegate et al 2/20 3,741,207 6/l973 Fuson 2/l6 X Primary Examiner-Alfred R. Guest Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Millen, Raptes & White 57 ABSTRACT An energy absorbing device for use with a person's hand to protect the hand during training and contests in various sports such as karate, boxing, etc. The device is constructed of resilient foam means covered with a tough, pliable surface coating. The device generally comprises a pair of spaced, parellel, resilient members suitably secured together with a space therebetween. Thedevice is adapted to permit insertion of the hand into the space between the two resilient members.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a novel protective device for a persons hand useful in various sports and adapted to be worn on the hand and which can easily be put on or taken off.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel protective device for the hand to be used in various sports having a simplified construction made from a resilient material which has a tough, outer casing.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a novel protective device for the hand comprising a pair of parellel, preferably circular, protective members suitably secured together with a space between them into which a persons hand can be inserted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a protection device to be worn on a persons hand which can be used in various sports as a target device, weapon, etc.

Generally, the protective device for a persons hand is adapted to protect the hand including the fingers, palm and back of the hand while engaging in various sports such as karate, etc. The device comprises a resilient material such as a plastic foam which is capable of absorbing energy and which has a tough, outer coating or casing, preferably of plastic, which is shaped, designed and adapted to be used in various sports, when worn on the hand, as a weapon, as a target, and in fending blows from an opponent.

Other features and advantages of the protective device of the invention will become apparent from'the following description of a specific embodiment thereo taken in conjunction with the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the protective device of the invention; 7'

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view'of the protective device showing the hand of a person inserted therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing comprises a protective device for a persons hand and is generally indicated by the numeral 10. The device comprises a pair of preferably unitary, pad circular members 12 and 14. Each member 12 and 14 is molded or constructed from a suitable resilient material 16 capable of absorbing energy, such as a plastic polystyrene or polyurethane foam, or a rubber foam, and the like. A suitable surface coating or casing 18, preferably smooth, covers the resilient material, and which is a tough, pliable, tear resistant material, preferably of a suitable plastic material, or the like. The coating 18 can be formed during heating and molding of a resilient plastic foam material to produce a fused material Ol'fth like. .Materials of plastic are preferred for the coating sincethere are available on the market many .toughprugged, pliable materials such as polyvinylchloride, etc; However, it is also contemplated.

within the concept of the invention that suitable rugged leather or fabric'materials, and the like, can be used to cover theresilient material. The coating or casing used should provide a flexible, tough covering which is resisconnected together in parallel relationship by a pair of connecting strip means 20 and 22, which are a tough. semi-rigid plastic strip. The strip means 20 and 22 are secured by suitable means on the side walls 24 and 26 of the parallel members 12 and 14 on opposite sides.

The strip means are secured as by an adhesive, in such a manner as to maintain members 12 and 14 in a separated, parallel relationship providing a space 28 between them. Space 28 extends through the device 10 and is open at either side 27 and 29. Space 28 is wide enough to permit inse'rtion of a person's hand therein as shown in FIG. 3. Members '12- and 1 4 are also designed insuch a manner that the space 28 is long. and

wide enough to accommodate a person s hand including the fingers, palm, and thumb. Generally, the wrist I.

of the person will barely enter'space 28 thereby giving 'the'person wearing'the device the ability to move the device to various positions by wrist action. As noted .in FIG. 3, the tips of the fingers can protrude through space 28 to enable the person to better control the device in its movements-and tose'cure it on the hand.

coating thereon. Alternatively, the surface coating 18 can be applied on the resilient material by dipping or by applying and securing a coating of a suitable plastic The device l0 can be used in various athletic sports and contests either as attaining device or in actual play. Thus, the device cari be worn by one personxon his hand and held outward in a vertical position thereby v presenting a target as shown in FIG.'3.,.Ario ther person can punch with his fist at surface 30 thereby'impro'ving his skill in throwing punches. The hand of the person wearing the device is protected from theblowby the resilient member 12 The device .10 can be kept in 1 movement by the wearer of the device to present a moving target thereby developing skill in the use of the V fist or hand throwing pun'chesaor'chops in the various sports such as boxing, karate, etc. The device can also 1 be used by two persons, each wearing the device, whereby a contest'or training in punching, slapping,

chopping, etc. against each device is performed. Furthermore, in the event a blow with the device is misdirected and lands on an opponents body or head, there is little likelihood of injury to the person.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

What is claimed is:

l. A protective device adapted to be worn on and protect the hand of a person for use in developing skills in athletic contents comprising a pair of pad members secured together in spaced parallel relationship thereby providing an open space between said pads, openings inches.

66 The protective device of claim 1 wherein said resilient means are plastic foam means.

7. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said casing means is a plastic material.

8. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said casing means is a fabric material.

9. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said pad members are secured together by semi-rigid plastic strip means.

10. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said casing means are integral with said resilient means. 

1. A protective device adapted to be worn on and protect the hand of a person for use in developing skills in athletic contents comprising a pair of pad members secured together in spaced parallel relationship thereby providing an open space between said pads, openings on opposite sides of said pad members whereby said hand can be inserted into said open space, each of said pad members comprising pliable, tearresistant casing means having resilient energy-absorbing means disposed therein.
 2. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said pad members are secured together by semi-rigid strip means.
 3. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said pad members are roUnd.
 4. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said pad members are polyganol.
 5. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said pad members have a thickness of between about 1 and 2 inches.
 6. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said resilient means are plastic foam means.
 7. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said casing means is a plastic material.
 8. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said casing means is a fabric material.
 9. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said pad members are secured together by semi-rigid plastic strip means.
 10. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said casing means are integral with said resilient means. 